Happiness
Happiness is just something we feel isn’t it? …And we can’t help how we feel… can we? Well this might not sit well with everyone, but happiness is actually a choice.
In fact, how we feel everyday is a choice.
Taking full responsibility for our feelings is some of the hardest work we will ever do.
Challenges will continue to face us.
People will always do things we don’t like, or don’t agree with.
We may even be hurt.
It is not what happens, but how we see it that counts.
There is no point in blaming the table when you stub your toe on it. We probably put the table where it is, and chose to walk past it in bare feet.
This is not a case of painting on a fake smile and pretending the challenges are not there, rather riding through them, learning the lesson, taking the appropriate action and moving on.
So why would we hang on to our hurt or anger?
Firstly I believe it’s a way of trying to control someone and holding, them accountable for what “they’ve done to us”.
Holding on to grudges like this hurts us far more than them.
Secondly I think we believe there is some kind of ‘payoff’, an emotional need we may not even be aware of. We often get more attention for being sad, angry, or aggressive or even telling sad stories. (Just have a look at the news)
A large part of peoples’ identity can be tied up with anger (do you have any aggressive friends) disappointment (we’ve all experienced the complainer) and sad feelings in general. To let this all go and move into happiness is a mighty shift in consciousness.
So what steps can we take to live a happier life everyday?
1 Choose to recognize and receive your good.
Good things happen everyday, we just have to see them and accept them (just as writing this my baby boy comes and gives me the best cuddle…. now that is good)
Someone smiles at you… do you smile back?
A friend offers to buy you coffee… do you accept?
This will be cumulative. The more you see, the more you will see!
2 Be Thankful – Start your day in a space of gratitude.
Do you look the Shopkeeper in the eye and say a heart felt Thank You for providing a service to you?
If you are struggling, and finding it hard to be thankful, feel the sun on your face, listen to your (or others) children’s laughter. The more you are thankful for happy moments in your life, the more happy moments the universe will bring to you.
3 Talk the Talk
When someone asks how you are, what do you say Try this
BEST DAY OF MY LIFE (thanks JJ)
What are you saying in your everyday conversation? If you find you are complaining, even just sometimes, check yourself and find something positive to talk about.
4 Thought for the day
What are you saying to yourself? Check in regularly to see if your self-talk is lifting you up or bringing you down. What you think about, you attract into your life, so think happy thoughts and create a happy life!
5 Random acts of kindness
Enter your day with a generous heart. Helping others will inevitably make you feel good about yourself.
As my friend from CarbonCopyPro John Jackson says ‘Do something good for someone in the knowing they can never repay you, this will start to change this world
6 Who is your Influence?
What do your friends, family or work colleagues have you doing, watching and talking about? Do they bring you up or down? Decrease the influence you allow them to have, become the positive influence in their lives. And if you can surround yourself with happy, positive people.
7 Never Feel Guilty
Live with integrity, speak from your heart and run an honest business. Realize that everyone else’s thoughts feelings and circumstances are the result of their own choices.
8 Never Fear-This Too Shall Pass
In the face of all your challenges realize this.
Change your mind and change your life …. Today.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids
